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SOS for PCOS
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
By Kelly Burgess
The negative consequences of insulin overproduction on the body were first described by Dr. Gerald Reaven of Stanford University. He dubbed the effects of insulin overproduction "Syndrome X." Dr. Reaven's theories found wide acceptance in the scientific and medical communities to explain the precipitous rise in the American population of both obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Feinberg, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist for Reproductive Associates of Delaware, argues that Dr. Reaven's theories can be applied just as convincingly to the cluster of symptoms that represent PCOS, and that lifestyle changes, not just in diet and exercise but in overall lifestyle, can be extremely effective in treating PCOS, which he calls "Syndrome O." While this may sound like good news, it's a delicate subject, because many sufferers from PCOS are also overweight and may not appreciate the implication that their lifestyle choices are responsible for their infertility.
Lesa Childers of PCOS Strategies found that lifestyle changes were the most effective treatment for her PCOS. In addition to her adoptive daughter, she now has two biological children, a fact she attributes to making changes in her lifestyle. Some years ago, after learning about the link between PCOS and lifestyle, she began to eat more healthfully, get more exercise and reduced stress in her life. She admits it wasn't easy, and still isn't easy.
"Americans are resistant to making change in lifestyle; we want a pill," says Childers. "If you can change your lifestyle, that means you take responsibility, and it's not always a message that's positively received. It's a difficult message to hear, and it takes a while before you can move to a place where you can take positive action. I have a lot of empathy, because I've been there, but I'm at a different stage now and can say it's worth the struggle."
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Re: SOS for PCOS by anonymous on 05/12/2009 09:42PM
I have PCOS and I found this article hurtful and not true for many women with PCOS. When I was in a teenager and as an adult I am of normal weight, exercise daily and eat balanced meals and still have PCOS. I do have a daughter with the assistance of Metformin. I have always had irregular periods from the very start. I believe for many women this is genetic not caused by overeating. Also the picture of the heavy women eating pasta was very hateful. Get your facts strait.